The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his first Wool Classing Stencil. It was used on Stanley’s property named “Yohhatnbu” in Willaura. Stanley gained the property as part of the Returned Soldiers Settlement Scheme for his service in World War 2. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Cut letters. “SJH / BOLAC ”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son

W.G (William George) Gray, owned and managed Allwood Nurseries in Hurstbridge. By 1922 he operated a well cultivated property of 64 cleared acres, 56 of which were under nursery healthy stock, principally apples, peaches, plums and cherries. In addition to 4 acres of potatoes. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, hurstbridge, gray's orchard, nurseries (plants), apple industry, allwood, allwood nursuries

The folder or correspondence is the result of a Freedom of Informaition request made to the Department of Primary Industries in 2011. The folder was collected for research being conducted by David Waldron. John Higgins, managing editor of the Maryborough Advertiser was interested in sightings of what some suggested to be a puma or mountain lion in Central Victoria. A number of A4 printouts relating to large cat sightings in the Maryborough (Vic) area, many reported by the Marlborough Advertiser. The large cat referred to is often referred to as a Puma or Mountain Lion. (.7) Profile of Central Victorian Cat Australian Animal Folklore Collectionaustralian animal folklore collection, cat, ferral cat, puma, mountain lion, maryborough, maryborough victoria, ds saunders, bryan walters, bernie mall, peter chapple. graham george, australian cougar, felid, pamela parker, alan foskett, daisy hill, panther, john dix, ray elliott, dennis wiley, police sightings, graham hunt, brian douglas, stuart mill, graeme grant, a. venes, avoca, julie hobbs, greg gallagher, taltarni, moonambel, fred beach, majorca, michael rayner, chateau remy, john robb, wayne irvine, brian anderson, peter davies, talbot, joyce davies, tom davies, len farthing, barry rinaldi, edward stone, brian stone, judith tranter, alan poole, shane long, jim smith, lloyd forge, carisbrook, murray henderson, doug grose, john higgins, footprint cast, australian dasyurids, felis concolor, lioness, lion, shane long, wareek, koo-jar hill, american troops, betley cat, daisy hill cat, phelan road cat, amherst cat, john higgin, angus reynolds, betley tiger, tim clark, walters cougar catcher, identification chart, david towler, bob carr, rare fauna research society, lancefield cat, bernie mace, robert pattison, bryan de lacy, romsey, murray henderson, brian collinson, neil grummett, grummett, kenneth lamont, lamont, foskett, hobbs, rinaldi, poole, forge, henderson, grant, elliott, anderson, stone, irvine, douglas, stewart, long, mythical, myth, folklore, australian mythical animals collection, david waldron, land protection, d.s. saunders, judith henke, ravenswood, wedderburn, feral cat, laanecoorie, shellbourne, barru rinaldi, lan poole, dorothy smith, amherst cemetery, graham grant, maryborough advertiser, central victorian cat, st arnaud, kyneton, shane one wareek, lack of fossil evidence, koo-jat hill, cougar hill, plaster casts, lummis, goldsborough, ian lummis, hamilton, swan hill, wodonga

W. Wylie's store, west end of High St, Charlton. built by Peter Johnson c. 1872, managed by Mr. Gatwood c.1880s, then bought by William Wylie. Group of people standing outside on footpath, young man on a bicycle, 2 children and a man in upstairs windowMounted unframed photograph. W. Wylie's store, west end of High St, Charlton. Group of nine people standing outside on footpath, includes three women, a young man on a bicycle being held by another young man, 2 children and a man in upstairs windowClarke Bros Photographers Windsorw. wylie, general importer, draper & outfitter, johnson's bridge store, high street, charlton

This photograph is an enlarged section of another photo where all the workers were lined up on the railway siding to welcome home their managing director, Edgar Edwards Walker on his return from overseas. Unfortunately their good intentions backfired as there was deduction in their wages for the time spent away from their work.Black and white photograph of a group of men in front of the Australian Tesselated Tile building. Name of the company behind with name of manager/owner E. E. Walker.australian brick and tesselated tile co tile factories

Photograph believed to have been taken at rear of Railway Hotel, Linton. The children's parents, John Burt Graham and Catherine Graham, were licensees of the hotel from about 1889. (J B Graham died in 1896, and his wife continued to manage the hotel until about 1901.)Sepia photograph of two girls and a young boy, one girl seated holding a book on her lap, the other girl standing beside the chair, and the young boy standing on the chair between the two girls one hand on each of girls shoulders."Graham family Linton, Bert Graham musician".gertie graham, nellie graham, bert graham, railway hotel linton

The brochure gives information on the Eureka Stockade which took place on 03 December 1854. The Eureka trail aimed at enhancing the Eureka experience and was developed in 1996. It was managed by the City of Ballarat with funding assistance form the State and Federal governments. Much of the work was undertaken under the New Work Opportunity Programme.Blue and white brochure highlighting relevant Eureka Stockade site. The brochure includes a map showing the route the Government forces took on their way to the Eureka Stockade as well as sites of interest to Eureka which are marked by blue bollards. The brochure was presented by the City of Ballarat and the Eureka Stockade centre.eureka, eureka stockade, diggers' trail, trooper's trail, eureka stockade centre, city of ballarat

The early settler women of Moorabbin Shire managed the household while their market gardener husbands cultivated the produce to be sold at the market Normal daily life involved washing clothes, ironing, cooking meals and baking cakes, scones, bread, and pastries. whilst caring for the children and making and mending the family's clothes The early settler women of Moorabbin Shire had to be self sufficient and were skillful cooks providing meals for their familiesAn a assortment of metal pastry, biscuit and scone cutters and tartlet tins with straight and scalloped edges in original condition with no repairs. kitchen equipment, cooking, baking, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, market gardeners, farmers,

The Victorian Archaelogical Survey managed this study onbehalf of the Ministry for Planning & Environment. The study was intended to provide a brief history of Aboriginal and European occupation and use of the area and an outline of the geography of the chief areas of cultural heritage concern, with recommendations for protection of significant cultural sites and recommendations for further research, survey and consultation.115 p., photocopy, unbound. Illus., mapsplenty river, fiona weaver, victorian archaeological survey

Gives details of the times and the depots served, meal breaks and servicing at South Melbourne depot on a Wednesday. Also provides route to be taken, precautions and that the Batman Ave turnout is not to be used. Issued by the Acting Controller of Stores who managed the operation of this service. See Reg Item 1908 for May 1976 version. Yields information about the distribution of the Melbourne tramcar fleetFoolscap duplicated sheet providing a timetable for the Freight tram, dated 25/3/1963, notes normally uses tram No. 17. tramcars, tramways, mmtb, freight tram, stores deparment

Two page letter to Mr. R. H. S. Abbott from the Managing Director of Scalebuoys (New Zealand) Limited. (Signature illegible). Dated 25 September, 1936. Letter typed in blue with red underline on paper with printed letterhead. It has a green scalebuoy with Scalebuoys (New Zealand) Limited printed across it. The letter mentions that goods were consigned by Hardley's per the S. S. 'Aorangi'. He is also asking if any Scalebuoys have been used in connection with Sewerage Works. He also mentions at the end that he has attached some photo of Mr. R. H. S. Abbott and Dr. Abbott.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, national mutual life chambers, mr r h s abbott, hotel australia sydney, hardley's, s s aorangi, aukland and suburbs drainage board, dr abbott

Trifold invitation. On front cover is gold coloured image of rock strata. Written underneath: 'The Objective, to bring gold back to Bendigo'. On bottom of front page 'Bendigo Mining' with poppet head logo. Inside on first page: Your invitation- Peter McCarthy, Chairman Bendigo Mining Limited and Doug Buerger, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, request the pleasure of your company for the official opening of Bendigo's Mine at the kangaroo Flat site by Hon Steve Bracks, Premier of Victoria, on Friday 20 October, 2006. Colour photos of a gold pour, underground mining and a miner, on other pages of invitation. environment, kangaroo flat, goldmining, , environmental impact, exploration, mining, bendigo mining, doug buerger, peter mccarthy

This work was undertaken in 2001 when the artist was undertaking an Honours year at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy (later Federation University). This item is a part of the Federation University School of Business Art Collection. The Federation University Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed Digital Limited Edition Print by Michael Shiell. "The woven form was made at 'Blue Waters' near Creswick. I remember that I went out hoping to make something and I had a few mediocre starts but nothing really inspired was popping for me. Eventually I sat on the bank and started tossing little pebbles into the water. Finally the immediacy and ephemerality of the dissipating ripples struck me. I made the work by twisting and weaving the reeds which lined the banks of 'Blue Waters'. I then floated the rings together and managed to get a couple of quick photos before the work floated away and dissipated." (Michael Shiell)Edition: 1/10art, artwork, michael shiell, shiell, blue water, creswick, school of business collection, available, photography

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. Items related to the Falls Creek Area in this issue include:- Page 2 - Trees are being planted in snowland experimental plots on the Bogong High Plains. Tom Mitchell had suggested the plots should be established to ascertain whether suitable species could be easily introduced. Page 3 - Nissen Ski Tow would again be operating with provisions available at the Tow House. Cecil Dobson will be managing Loon's Store. He will be bringing in fresh food two r three times a week by horse sled which will also be used by Bob Hymans.tom mitchell m.l.a., snowland experimental plots, cecil dobson

Black and white photograph of an illustration of the Beaumaris Horse Tram. The photo shows the tram being pulled by 3 horses with several passengers on the top level. The Beaumaris Tramway Company commenced operations in 1887 between Sandringham and Cheltenham railway stations, and managed to survive until 1914. The tramway was operated by Charles Henry James in an attempt to sell land developed by him at Black Rock, Sandringham and Mentone. Stamped on the back "...The Argus...negative No P2225" See also Reg Item 5014 for another photograph of a horse tram. 2nd copy from Keith Kings added 6/8/2020 - see images i2 and i3.trams, tramways, argus, beaumaris horse tram, horse trams

Correspondence (copies, 9 pages) describing the funds raised and dispersed for the widows of the miners killed in the explosion at the Great Extended Hustlers Mine in 1914. Names of miners' families: Mrs. Campbell, 3 children Mrs. Blair, 2 children Mrs. Thomas, 3 children Mrs. Martin Mrs. Chinn Mrs. Forster, 2 children Mrs. Walkley Letter addressed to His Worship The Mayor, Town Hall dated 20 July 1914 describes the participants names and the terms of payment. Letter from Mrs. Margaret Campell authorising bearer to pick up cheque Sandhurst and Northern District Trustees managed the fund.bendigo, mining, great extended hustlers

These labels come from the Warrnambool Reeves Cordial Factory. John Reeves came to Warrnambool about 1900 and managed the cordial bottling plant in Banyan Street for Jim Kelly who traded under the name of the previous cordial manufacturer, J. S. Rowley. In 1931 John Reeves purchased the cordial factory in Koroit Street from the estate of John Fletcher. John Reeves’ son, Reg managed the cordial business in Koroit Street until 1946 when he took over from his father and carried on the business until his death in 1972. In 1977 Reeves’ son-in-law carried on the business under the trading name of Reeves. The building in Koroit Street that stands today was erected in 1957 when the original building was demolished. These labels are of interest because they are colourful and pleasing to the eye and because the Reeves Cordial Factory was a major business in Warrnambool for several decades in the 20th century..1 to .9 Piece of paper with curved edges with multi-coloured printing and coloured geometric decoration. .10 A piece of paper with yellow, red and white printing and images of a crown and a stage curtain. .1 Reeves’ Imitation Cordial Vanilla .2 Reeves’ Imitation Cordial Caramel .3 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Lime .4 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Chocolate .5 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Chillie .6 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Orange .7 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Orange & Lemon .8 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Fruit Cup .9 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Pineapple .10 Queen’s Toast Artificially Coloured Reeves Warrnambool reeves cordial factory, history of warrnambool

VFF is seeking an appropriate framework to ensure farmers do not bear the cost of infrastructure on their farms. Overhead powerlines are proposed through the rich volcanic soils around Ballarat. This land supports 1200 jobs in processing in Ballarat. The towers would impact on the ability to irrigate crops, to use tractors around them, on biosecurity and on ability to use emergency equipment near them. VFF wants assurances that the managing entry to farm policy position will be adhered to and that a statewide strategic plan for renewable energy is prepared. https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PS210901LG-Managing-Entry-to-Farms-adopted.pdf https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/VFF-Renewable-Energy-and-Energy-Efficiency-Policy-Statement-Meeting-172-June-2021.pdfadvocacy, renewable energy, farmers, protest, rally, managing entry to farm, victorian farmers federation, ballarat

VFF is seeking an appropriate framework to ensure farmers do not bear the cost of infrastructure on their farms. Overhead powerlines are proposed through the rich volcanic soils around Ballarat. This land supports 1200 jobs in processing in Ballarat. The towers would impact on the ability to irrigate crops, to use tractors around them, on biosecurity and on ability to use emergency equipment near them. VFF wants assurances that the managing entry to farm policy position will be adhered to and that a statewide strategic plan for renewable energy is prepared. https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PS210901LG-Managing-Entry-to-Farms-adopted.pdf https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/VFF-Renewable-Energy-and-Energy-Efficiency-Policy-Statement-Meeting-172-June-2021.pdfadvocacy, renewable energy, farmers, protest, rally, managing entry to farm, victorian farmers federation, ballarat

VFF is seeking an appropriate framework to ensure farmers do not bear the cost of infrastructure on their farms. Overhead powerlines are proposed through the rich volcanic soils around Ballarat. This land supports 1200 jobs in processing in Ballarat. The towers would impact on the ability to irrigate crops, to use tractors around them, on biosecurity and on ability to use emergency equipment near them. VFF wants assurances that the managing entry to farm policy position will be adhered to and that a statewide strategic plan for renewable energy is prepared. https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PS210901LG-Managing-Entry-to-Farms-adopted.pdf https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/VFF-Renewable-Energy-and-Energy-Efficiency-Policy-Statement-Meeting-172-June-2021.pdfadvocacy, renewable energy, farmers, protest, rally, managing entry to farm, victorian farmers federation, ballarat

VFF is seeking an appropriate framework to ensure farmers do not bear the cost of infrastructure on their farms. Overhead powerlines are proposed through the rich volcanic soils around Ballarat. This land supports 1200 jobs in processing in Ballarat. The towers would impact on the ability to irrigate crops, to use tractors around them, on biosecurity and on ability to use emergency equipment near them. VFF wants assurances that the managing entry to farm policy position will be adhered to and that a statewide strategic plan for renewable energy is prepared. https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PS210901LG-Managing-Entry-to-Farms-adopted.pdf https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/VFF-Renewable-Energy-and-Energy-Efficiency-Policy-Statement-Meeting-172-June-2021.pdfadvocacy, renewable energy, farmers, protest, rally, managing entry to farm, victorian farmers federation, ballarat

VFF is seeking an appropriate framework to ensure farmers do not bear the cost of infrastructure on their farms. Overhead powerlines are proposed through the rich volcanic soils around Ballarat. This land supports 1200 jobs in processing in Ballarat. The towers would impact on the ability to irrigate crops, to use tractors around them, on biosecurity and on ability to use emergency equipment near them. VFF wants assurances that the managing entry to farm policy position will be adhered to and that a statewide strategic plan for renewable energy is prepared. https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PS210901LG-Managing-Entry-to-Farms-adopted.pdf https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/VFF-Renewable-Energy-and-Energy-Efficiency-Policy-Statement-Meeting-172-June-2021.pdfadvocacy, renewable energy, farmers, protest, rally, managing entry to farm, victorian farmers federation, ballarat

VFF is seeking an appropriate framework to ensure farmers do not bear the cost of infrastructure on their farms. Overhead powerlines are proposed through the rich volcanic soils around Ballarat. This land supports 1200 jobs in processing in Ballarat. The towers would impact on the ability to irrigate crops, to use tractors around them, on biosecurity and on ability to use emergency equipment near them. VFF wants assurances that the managing entry to farm policy position will be adhered to and that a statewide strategic plan for renewable energy is prepared. https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PS210901LG-Managing-Entry-to-Farms-adopted.pdf https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/VFF-Renewable-Energy-and-Energy-Efficiency-Policy-Statement-Meeting-172-June-2021.pdfphotos of Lydiard St Stop Ausnet Rallyadvocacy, renewable energy, farmers, protest, rally, managing entry to farm, victorian farmers federation, ballarat

VFF is seeking an appropriate framework to ensure farmers do not bear the cost of infrastructure on their farms. Overhead powerlines are proposed through the rich volcanic soils around Ballarat. This land supports 1200 jobs in processing in Ballarat. The towers would impact on the ability to irrigate crops, to use tractors around them, on biosecurity and on ability to use emergency equipment near them. VFF wants assurances that the managing entry to farm policy position will be adhered to and that a statewide strategic plan for renewable energy is prepared. https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PS210901LG-Managing-Entry-to-Farms-adopted.pdf https://www.vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/VFF-Renewable-Energy-and-Energy-Efficiency-Policy-Statement-Meeting-172-June-2021.pdfphotos of Lydiard St Stop Ausnet Rallyadvocacy, renewable energy, farmers, protest, rally, managing entry to farm, victorian farmers federation, ballarat

Considering the historical importance of Fortuna Villa, a small group of interested Unit members formed the Army Survey Regiment Historical Fund. The aim of the committee was to manage historical issues and raise funds to improve or preserve the Unit History or historical items. These minutes are a small sample record of the activities of the Unit Historical Fund. 6 x A4 pages of Minutes, photocopies, stapled in top left hand corner.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

Klinberg and his men stand trial in Overton in a courtroom packed with sympathisers. Both Justices of the Peace assisting the Police Magistrate are members of the Cattlemen's Association, and manage to keep the sentence down to a heavy fine. Henry MacLean as the Police Magistrate Maj. Hardwick and James McGrath as the Justices of the Peace Bill Tenteye as Klinberg.The album and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Ringer's River Album Coloured photo Plate 16des martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories

Item reports on the launch of the 3rd Melbourne Tramcar Restaurant, No. 939, named "Valentine". Gives the story of the company, its development, the business with comments from Craig Opie, the Managing Director. The tram became Ballarat Tramway Museum Cuthberts 939 in 2016. Item written by Clare Kermond, photo John Lamb.Yields information about Melbourne Tramcar Restaurant business and No. 939, Valentine.Newspaper clipping over two pages from The Age, 10/2/1995.tramways, conductors, colonial tramcar restaurant, tram 939

Aboriginal children in remote communities have the lowest rates of success in school. The reasons for the lack of success are well known, and mainly lie outside of the schools and their programs. Education authorities have made some poor choices in the past. They have not enforced the necessary discipline on children to attend school, and they have placed cultural sensitivity above the needs of the child to cope in the modern economy. More recently they have begun to concentrate on programs in literacy and numeracy, but success is limited because of the perverse incentives of other government initiatives. These initiatives have been blind to the need to deal with the absence of an economy in remote areas, and the absence of a work ethic among Aborigines who are welfare dependent. The absence of the work ethic and the absence of work have severely constrained the returns on the investment in Aboriginal education. The correct policy response to failure at school will be determined not simply by additional programs at school, but by how various issues of transition to the real economy - work, individual obligation, mobility - are managed. The transition will be better managed if educators and governments understand that education is essentially an instrument in economic integration, and that many remote communities are not viable, and where they are not schools should not be used as pawns to keep them afloat. Moreover, educators and governments should understand that western education cannot and should not preserve Aboriginal culture. Most importantly, parents' behaviour needs to change and where incentives to send children to school fail, compulsion must be used.school programs, education policy, literacy and numeracy, employment outcomes